solanus 4

He served for two decades... 

in a succession of friaries in New York. His first assignment was at Sacred Heart Friary in Yonkers. He was later transferred to New York City, where he first served at Saint John's Church next to Penn Station and later at Our Lady Queen of Angels in Harlem.

He was recognized as an inspiring speaker. 

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In August 1924, he was transferred to the Saint Bonaventure convent in Detroit, where he worked until 1945. During this time, he mostly served as the simple porter [receptionist and doorkeeper]. 

Each Wednesday afternoon...he conducted well-attended services for the sick, and through these services, he became known for his great compassion and the fantastic results of his consultations with visitors. People considered him instrumental in cures and other blessings. 

He loved to kneel before the Eucharist in the quiet of the night.

During his time at St. Bonaventure's, Casey was involved in the formation of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. The soup kitchen was founded in 1929 to provide food for Detroit's poor during the Great Depression. Casey is considered one of the founders of the soup kitchen, which is still in operation today.

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As a violinist, he loved to play Irish songs for his fellow friars during recreation time, but he had a terrible singing voice, attributed to his childhood speech impediment. Other friars could not refrain from rolling their eyes or coughing, so he would excuse himself politely and sneak down to the chapel to entertain a spiritual audience at the tabernacle. 

He ate little. 

Until his late seventies, he joined the younger religious in games of tennis and volleyball.

[wikipedia]